In the context of the Roman empire, making disciples of all nations was never about sending out well-funded missionaries from Rome, but the work of migrant peasant migrant workers, traders, sea-farers, and others, moving from one part of the empire to another (and beyond). Is this model from the past also the future of Christian missions?
Through digital hospitality, influencers can win over the masses, even without substantial budgets and powerful production capacities. Their authenticity and willingness to let audiences into their lives creates a powerful bond beyond what they promote. By opening a window into your life in a similar way, you could easily showcase God’s transformative power authentically, drawing others to Christ through your digital witness. But will you?
The story of God is a grand biblical story of how God has revealed himself to humankind and how he has redeemed us from fear and death and has planned a future for the whole cosmos. It’s a monumental story of love and brokenness, fear and hope, truth and lies, and the unending resolve of our loving God and his intention to save all that he has created. And we need to tell it better.
The coronavirus pandemic of 2019 sent churches, big and small, on a massive online migration. The lockdowns of the pandemic season and the implementation of strict physical distancing measures effectively locked-up the sanctuaries of different faith communities in many nations. For a couple of years or so, it seemed like the age of the digital church had finally arrived. But is that the case?
The furore generated by two female boxers in the Olympics has illustrated two things: false information spreads very rapidly, and there is a considerable lack of understanding about the diversity of sexual expression. All too readily these two become conflated into a dubious and dangerous recipe for misinformation and hurt. Contrary to simplistic moral arguments, determining someone’s sex can on occasion be very complicated. Christians need to remain aware that there are people appearing in the
An opportunity for any young Christian adult to consider what role China may have in their life. No matter where you live, travel, or work in the world, China will be a part of our future. China is playing an increasingly important role in global affairs in almost every sphere of activity. Chinese companies are going global and looking for employees. China has opportunities for cutting edge research in certain fields. This is a good time to visit China.
Immigration is a prominent and integral aspect of our global society, yet it remains a deeply contentious and polarizing issue. Countries are struggling to manage their borders as people take dangerous and irregular paths to cross them. Many believe that immigration needs to be reduced or restricted, leading to protests and counter-protests in various nations. Concerns are also rising about the rapid cultural and societal changes immigration brings. A fresh focus on integration can help.
Some of us are always looking for a place to fully belong. We might be an insider of different groups, but there does not seem to be a place where we are fully understood or where we feel we can just be without pretense. We live with the expectancy of a better place where our investment in belonging is fully worthwhile. On the edge of the inside we find Jesus who is the architect of that place that we are yearning for.
One farmer’s dogged persistence and a resolute faith in God successfully brought back forest to over 6 million hectares in West Africa. Now more than 240 million trees can be attributed to his efforts.
When living in restrictive social environments Christians should not simply rely on traditional means to evangelize non-believers. Rather, we need to innovate creative ways to convey our message. Ways derived from the Bible and adapted to wider society through our words and actions.
In an intricate tapestry of the digital world, a sinister operation has woven itself into the fabric - the click farm. This clandestine industry, fueled by an insatiable appetite for online validation, has created a shadow economy built on deception and exploitation. We can be complicit.
From the insiders’ perspective, living in China as a follower of Jesus is simply life. Like a deep-water creature, we get used to the darkness, cold, and pressure. We learned how to share the gospel, pastor our churches, and advance God’s kingdom in deep water. Some might think that deep water is not fit for life, but if you find yourself there, you might be surprised by how resilient you can be. You simply need to do it, and you can.
